Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital issued the following announcement on March 1.

The last trimester of pregnancy is a busy time to prepare for your new baby. Don’t wait until the last minute to pack a bag for your hospital stay.

“Go ahead and pack your bag a couple months ahead of your due date to ensure you have the items you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible,” said Sue McCarty, RN, nurse manager for Memorial Medical Center Family Maternity Suites. “Keep your hospital bag and car seat in a location known to both you and your partner so you can quickly grab it when it’s time to go.”